Tips and Tricks to Make Your Computing Life Easier

This first post will be describing the installation of Kubuntu 9.10. I will use a series of pictures along with short explanations of what’s happening (or what options you can use) on each one. So, without further ado, here’s Kubuntu…

Screen 1: This first screen welcomes you to the LiveCD and allows you to choose your default language.

After clicking the language, you are presented with screen two. This screen gives you the option of trying Kubuntu without making changes to your computer (Live CD) or Installing Kubuntu. These are the two options that most people will use immediately, although it’s recommended to use the Memory Test and Test CD for Defects options first.

The advanced options are mainly for older computers or computers with non-standard hardware. Typically, unless you have problems with the installation, you won’t have to worry about those options.

Once you’ve clicked on Install Kubuntu, you start the graphical installer. The steps are fairly simple and are about as time consuming as Windows installations.

This first screen welcomes you and allows you to choose your default language for the installation.

The first page of the actual installation allows you to select your country/region and time zone. This will customize the defaults to your native language and also select the update servers which are closest to your location. You can either click on the map, or use the drop-downs. I actually clicked on the map to get it in the right area, and then chose from the dropdown on the right for the time zone.

On this screen, you’ll choose the keyboard layout. Unless you use a different (non-standard) keyboard, or Kubuntu doesn’t immediately recognize your keyboard layout, you should just have to click Forward. Make sure the keyboard in the picture looks exactly like the one you’re using.

Ahhh now we are at the scary part. Up until now, nothing has happened to your computer. This is the point where it all changes. But you don’t need to worry. If you are using a blank hard drive, you will see the options that are presented here. If you have Windows installed, you will be presented with some alternative options.

Install and use side-by-side (default) This option takes some of the space away from your current Windows setup, and uses it for Kubuntu. It also creates a dual-boot system where you can choose either or.

Use the largest consecutive free-space. This option does exactly what it implies. It finds the biggest amount of free space in your drive (unallocated partitions) and installs Kubuntu there.

Use entire hard disk. This will completely erase Windows and any data you have on the drive.

Manually partition. This is where you can set up everything yourself (only recommended for Advanced Users).

When you’ve made your choice and clicked Forward, the new partitions are written to the drive. This is the point where it will format your drive, or just move things around for you—depending on which you choose.

Here is where you’ll enter your user information. There are two things to note about Linux here. For your username, you cannot use capital letters or spaces. You can use _ though. So, as you start typing your name, Kubuntu will fill the username in with your first name and stop at the space. You’re free to use that, or change it as you wish. It may also fill in the computer name, which you can change.

The default login option is the most secure one, and is preferred if you have multiple users. You can create the additional users after you’ve installed Kubuntu.

This screen is a summary of the changes that you are going to make. If everything is right, click Forward. The next screen shows the Advanced Options.

The only option that wasn’t checked by default is the bottom one (participate in the package usage survey). This option allows Cannonical to monitor what packages you use most frequently.

Finally after clicking Forward, we’re on to the installation… And it’s time to sit back or get some coffee.

This is just the first stage prior to repartitioning and formatting the drive. Then the installer will copy the files over to the drive and complete the installation.

At this point the installation is finished. You should click Restart and then remove the CD from the tray. When Kubuntu reboots, you’ll be presented with the login screen and you’re on your way.